IndyCar: Takuma Sato to return to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in 2021

Takuma Sato is set to return to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing for a fifth year and fourth year in a row in the 2021 IndyCar season.

The last time Takuma Sato won an Indy 500, he switched IndyCar teams at the end of the year. That won’t be happening the second time around.

The 20th two-time winner of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” has reached an agreement to return to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing for the 2021 season, which is set to be his fifth season with the team and his fourth in a row.

Sato spent the 2012 season with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing before spending four seasons with A.J. Foyt Enterprises from 2013 to 2016 and the 2017 season with Andretti Autosport, when he won the Indy 500 for the first time in his career.

Here is what Sato had to say about the opportunity to be back behind the wheel of the #30 Honda in 2021.

"“I am very excited to continue with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing for the 2021 season. The 2020 season was an unforgettable one for many reasons. Needless to say, it was an extremely challenging situation worldwide but the team continued to work very hard to be competitive under the difficult circumstances and Bobby, Mike, and the entire team deserve huge credit for this. Our Indy 500 win was a truly special moment and I want to thank everyone at the team again. We are already focused on the future and I am really looking forward to 2021.”"

Here is what team co-owner Bobby Rahal had to add.

"“I am very pleased that we were able to come to terms with Takuma to continue with us in 2021. Clearly it has been a successful partnership over the last several years, culminating in this year’s Indy 500 victory and I look forward to further success with Takuma throughout 2021.”"

Here is what team co-owner Mike Lanigan added.

"“It has been a pleasure working with Takuma for many years and sharing with him all of the successes he has had. Winning the Indy 500 together exceeded my own dreams and we at RLL look forward to more success in the new season. Having Takuma back with our team in 2021 provides continuity and will allow us to build upon the competitiveness we have shown this season.”"

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Sato’s IndyCar career began back in 2010, and the only race he has missed since then was the 2020 season opener at Texas Motor Speedway after crashing in qualifying. He has competed in 181 races and secured six victories, including five over the last four seasons with at least one each year, and 14 podium finishes.

Sato’s career-high finish in the championship standings is his eighth place finish in the 2017 season. With one race remaining on the 2020 schedule, he sits in seventh in the standings, despite the fact that he missed the season opener, with a career-high average finish of 11.4. His four-year winning streak is tied for the fifth longest among active drivers.

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing already have Graham Rahal under contract to drive the #15 Honda next year, as he signed a five-year extension back in 2018.